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Friday 17 December 2004

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Blewett backs Alston appointment

From the Senate, to a short retirement, and now to Australia House in London. Life for the former federal communications minister Richard Alston just keeps getting better. Mr Alston's appointment to the job as Australia's High Commissioner in London has been accompanied by howls of "jobs for the boys" from the Opposition. And the appointment has won applause from the former Labor minister Neal Blewett, who did the job 10 years ago.

Telstra culls middle management

Telstra has confirmed that it will embark on a cull of middle management from the New Year. The telecommunications giant says it doesn't yet know how many jobs will go, but that the move is about taking layers out of the company to improve its workability and efficiency. Telstra executives deny though, that this has anything to do with the full privatisation of the telco. And the Federal Communications Minister Helen Coonan says while the Government has been advised of the job losses, the decision is an operational matter for Telstra.

Evidence suppressed in Lodhi trial

A defence barrister at the Sydney committal hearing for a terrorism suspect has this morning argued that Australia's desire to keep a friendly relationship with Singapore is having an alarming influence on the case. The committal hearing is to decide if there's enough evidence to send Faheem Lodhi to trial for allegedly plotting last year to bomb the electricity grid and defence bases in Sydney. Some of the evidence is being heard in closed court today because the Commonwealth says revealing it could compromise national security.

Parallels between counter-terrorism measures and Nazi Germany

The UK's highest court has today ruled in favour of detainees being held under some of the Blair Government's counter-terrorism measures. Britain's Law Lords ruled that locking up suspected foreign terrorists without trial is in breach of European human rights laws. And a distinguished US lawyer is applauding the judges' decision. But Michael Bazyler, Professor of Law at California's Whittier Law School, and an expert on Holocaust justice, is nonetheless warning that there are dangerous parallels in the way Western democracies have been responding to terrorism and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Correction: ICAC investigates uni over plagiarism allegations

On November Nine, this year, The World Today broadcast an item relating to an ICAC hearing into claims of student plagiarism at Newcastle University. During the item the ABC suggested that the University Council lied about when it became aware of certain facts pertaining to the investigation into the claims. This allegation was not true and the ABC withdraws it. The ABC apologises to the Newcastle University Council members for any embarrassment or hurt that may have been caused.

Indian sparks euthanasia debate

In the Indian city of Hyderabad a young man is living out his last hours in the midst of national debate over euthanasia. Twenty-five-year-old K Venkatesh suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and has been confined to a wheelchair since he was six-years-old. He's now on life support and doctors say he will probably die before the weekend is out. But his instructions to his mother about his death have been very clear. He wants to donate his organs, while he's still alive, to help others live. India's courts, though, don't agree.

North Korea under the spotlight

It's the latest in a series of defections and attempted defections from the communist country. Seven people, believed to be North Korean refugees, have entered a Japanese school in Beijing. In September, 30 North Koreans broke into the school asking for help. And in the year ahead, North Korea will continue to be one of the world's hot spots.

Electronic health network would save millions: report

Placing the health details of every Australian on computer file would save millions of dollars each year and help eliminate medical errors, according to a report released today into how to build an electronic health network in Australia. But privacy advocates have raised concerns about having our medical history filed on a public database, and are asking just how will the information be stored and who'll have access to it.

Airlines under fire over advertised fares

As the airfare war heats up yet again, questions are being asked about the airlines' decision to deliberately exclude surcharges and taxes from their advertised fares. Jetstar was the first to do so, prompting complaints from rival Virgin Blue before it capitulated and did the same. The move is legal, provided somewhere in the ads, details of additional fees and charges are listed. The airlines argue it highlights the exorbitant cost of government and airport taxes. But the Australian Consumers' Association says it's nothing but a marketing scam.

Shark found near site of attack

At Adelaide's West Beach the search is continuing for the remains of 18-year-old Nick Peterson, who was killed in a shark attack yesterday. Rescue and recovery crews have been scouring the water since first light this morning and some human remains have now been found on the beach. And a great white shark similar in size to the one responsible for yesterday's attack has been sighted this morning only metres off shore near close to West Beach.

Africa Correspondent hangs up her running shoes

The ABC's Africa Correspondent Sally Sara is finishing her posting after almost five years. During that time she's reported from more than 20 countries including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Today, Sally Sara filed her last Africa Letter for The World Today.